The theme for Refugee Week 2022 is Healing.
We asked our refugee partners to send us pictures that represent healing to them.
Here are a few:
We asked our refugee partners to send us pictures that represent healing to them.
Here are a few:
This is a picture of a meal I cooked for Kate and Veronica. Giving them a delicious lunch with bream and Syrian salads made me feel good as it was nice to do something for them. -- Wafaa
A day out with my family.
This is Alex. Since I came to the UK, he was always with me. When I was alone, he made me feel cheerful. When I hugged him I felt calm.
Healing is walking in nature
I really enjoy choosing a book at the bookshop with my teacher and friend Maria -- Inaam
For more than two years now, I have been talking to my teacher and friend, Kate, every week on Zoom. It has been very important to me and has become part of my life, not just for language learning but in helping me to adjust to life in the UK too -- Enas
Healing is my child.
"When I look at my small daughter, I see perfection. She is so chubby and her beautiful skin, her beautiful hair. To me she is perfect. Sometimes things are very hard but when I look at my daughter and know that we are both safe now, I feel better." - Asylum Seeker
"When I look at my small daughter, I see perfection. She is so chubby and her beautiful skin, her beautiful hair. To me she is perfect. Sometimes things are very hard but when I look at my daughter and know that we are both safe now, I feel better." - Asylum Seeker
Earning a degree in journalism: One Asylum Seeker's Story
Nearly five years ago, L- came to the UK as an asylum seeker. HWR helped to support her as she worked for a masters degree in journalism, which she received this spring. Here are some of her words about her journey:
I always dreamed of writing books. Back home, I had already studied [journalism] for two years while working on TV and Radio. I wanted to use my previous experience, although there was a big gap since so many years had passed.
The most challenging part of the course was online classes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet people and feel the ‘uni life’ properly. What I really enjoyed was feeling normal again, feeling like other people who get to have opportunities. For us asylum seekers, this is such a luxury.
I want to give many thanks to Herts Welcome Refugees, especially to Carolina and Maria. I wouldn’t have made it through without their help.
I am still fighting to get the right to work, and my asylum case is pending.
I would definitely say to everyone not to think twice about pursuing higher education. Just do it! It is the best feeling when you achieve what you work for. I know it is not easy, but it is not impossible either. All refugees and asylum seekers have at least two things in common, we are all survivors and fighters. We cannot let our difficulties define us. We are more than that. We can do better than that.
I always dreamed of writing books. Back home, I had already studied [journalism] for two years while working on TV and Radio. I wanted to use my previous experience, although there was a big gap since so many years had passed.
The most challenging part of the course was online classes. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to meet people and feel the ‘uni life’ properly. What I really enjoyed was feeling normal again, feeling like other people who get to have opportunities. For us asylum seekers, this is such a luxury.
I want to give many thanks to Herts Welcome Refugees, especially to Carolina and Maria. I wouldn’t have made it through without their help.
I am still fighting to get the right to work, and my asylum case is pending.
I would definitely say to everyone not to think twice about pursuing higher education. Just do it! It is the best feeling when you achieve what you work for. I know it is not easy, but it is not impossible either. All refugees and asylum seekers have at least two things in common, we are all survivors and fighters. We cannot let our difficulties define us. We are more than that. We can do better than that.
Short Film: Suspended
This short film, Suspended, tells the story of a Syrian man resettled in Hertfordshire. It was made in conjunction with Herts Welcomes Refugees. To find out more, you can read an interview with the filmmakers here.